Because of a birth defect, Lieutenant Commander LaForge is blind and wears the Visor, an amazing example of bioengineering technology. The Visor allows LaForge to see even the infra-red and ultraviolet spectra. Hence he is quite a valuable asset on away missions. Since his father, an exobiologist, and his mother, a Starfleet captain (U.S.S. Hera) were always on the move, LaForge developed a knack for acquiring new languages, among them Hahliian. After leaving Starfleet Academy, he became a shuttle pilot on the Jovian Run, where he met Captain Picard. Impressed by Geordi's efficiency and diligence, Picard had LaForge transferred to the Starship Enterprise, where he became a full lieutenant and chief engineer. His performance thus far has been highly exemplary. Most recently, Lieutenant Commander LaForge and the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise-D approached the Nexus Ribbon, an unusual area in the space-time continuum. Indeed, Lieutenant Commander LaForge's experience and intelligence will be even more vital to the mission of the Starship Enterprise.